When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in New Haven

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off New Haven's last spring frost of Apr 19.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 20 – May 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jul 3 – Jul 24
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Sep 16 – Oct 11
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
New Haven's 184-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on New Haven's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
APR 19
OCT 19

Common questions

When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in New Haven?

Direct-sow around early July (Jul 3–Jul 24) in New Haven, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in New Haven?

Expect to harvest from around mid September (Sep 16–Oct 11) in New Haven, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in New Haven?

Start seeds indoors around mid April (Apr 20–May 11) in New Haven, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in New Haven?

Transplant outdoors around early July (Jul 3–Jul 24) in New Haven, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

How long is the growing season in New Haven?

New Haven has roughly 184 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) to maturity outdoors.

The rule of thumb

Sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and New Haven's frost dates.

Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.